MOUNT CARMEL, Ill. – Illinois Extension serving Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne counties is offering a rare training opportunity this fall for those interested in becoming an Illinois Master Naturalist. Master Naturalists are Illinois Extension’s trained volunteers who advocate for natural resource and wildlife conservation through community partnerships, educational opportunities, and other engagement.
Master Naturalists are trained in a variety of topics, including geology, prairies, ornithology, botany, and more. After training is completed, participants must meet annual volunteer requirements to maintain their certified Master Naturalist status. However, participants are not required to become a certified Master Naturalist to participate in the upcoming training.
Master Naturalist training will begin Sept. 1, with graduation from the program scheduled for Nov. 10 in Mt. Carmel. The training will include approximately 30 hours of online coursework and assignments, plus local field trips focused on natural resource topics, for a total of 40 hours.
An informational session will be held for interested participants on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Wabash County Extension Office, located at 738 N. Market St. in Mt. Carmel. The session will discuss Master Naturalist requirements, volunteer opportunities, and the upcoming training.
Registration is available online at go.illinois.edu/MNinfoELRWW for the info session or go.illinois.edu/MNtrainingELRWW for the training.
To register via phone or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the Edwards County Extension Office at 618-445-2934. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
For more information about Illinois Master Naturalists, visit go.illinois.edu/MN.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.